Long-term care homes across Ontario sharing millions for renos

Ontario Construction News staff writer

A Chatham long-term care home will receive nearly $2.7 million in provincial funding for building improvements.

The money will go to Copper Terrace to help upgrade 64 spaces, according to an announcement.

“Over the next decade, and as our population ages, the need for long-term care beds will increase significantly,” said Chatham-Kent Leamington MPP Rick Nicholls.

homes 2
The Yee Hong Centre in Scarborough will use a $761 million investment to renovate and add 224 new beds.

“Our government is ensuring that our loved ones will have a comfortable, modern place to live with the support they need and when they need it.”

Long-term Care Minister Merilee Fullerton announced Friday the province is moving forward with 29 new long-term care projects as outlined in the recently released provincial budget.

Of the 29 announced projects across the province, 23 involve the construction of brand new buildings and 19 involve campuses of care where multiple services are provided on the same site. Ontario is investing $1.75 billion to create 30,000 beds over ten years.

Projects announced last week include:

  • IOOF Seniors Home – Odd Fellow & Rebekah Home in Barrie, will create 64 new spaces. The facility will also upgrade 66 existing spaces, along with a host of renovations to the existing long-term care home.
  • The Yee Hong Centre in Scarborough will use a $761 million investment to renovate and add 224 new beds.
  • Bayfield Manor in Kemptville is receiving $7.6 million to build 94 new, & upgrade 66 existing spaces.
  • Maple View Lodge in Athens and Bayfield Manor in Grenville will accelerate expansions and add new spaces with $14.5 million.
  • In Ottawa, 256 new spaces will be added at Ottawa Hospital & Riverside site & a new 320-space home will be built in Orléans.

homes 3 odd fellowsThe government says it will create 30,000 beds over 10 years, with incentives provided to address the needs of developers in rural, mid-size, urban, and large urban markets. It also introduces an up-front development grant.

“Our government has been taking historic steps to improve the quality of life for our loved ones by adding capacity and upgrading Ontario’s long-term care homes,” said Long-term care Minister Merilee Fullerton.

“We introduced the modernized funding model to build and renovate these homes faster, and we’re already seeing results, with thousands of new, safe, and comfortable spaces in progress.”

The new model moves away from a one-size-fits-all approach, and instead, provides tailored incentives to address the needs of developers in different markets: rural, mid-size, urban, and large urban. It also introduces an up-front development grant to address high cost barriers to construction.

“Bringing the long-term care funding model into the 21st Century means we have a targeted approach for improving and expanding long-term care capacity in our communities,” said Steve Clark, minister of municipal affairs and housing.

“For example, under the modernized funding model, Maple View Lodge will receive an additional investment of close to $7 million. This will help the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville build 132 new and much needed spaces in Athens township sooner.”

The modernized funding model has fast-tracked 74 projects, representing 10,753 long-term care spaces: 3,957 new beds, and 6,796 older beds being redeveloped to modern standards. Of the 74 projects, 49 involve the construction of a brand-new building.

As of June 2020, more than 38,500 people are on the waitlist to access a long-term care bed.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

I accept the Privacy Policy

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.